NEW LONDON – A Massachusetts man stabbed another man in April 2012 at a Lebanon horse farm in self-defense, a jury decided Friday.

Matthew Hanson, 32, of Pocassett, was found not guilty of attempted murder and four other charges at his trial in New London Superior Court.

The jury of four women and two men deliberated for about seven hours Thursday and Friday before announcing their verdict in New London Superior Court.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Hanson’s attorney, Michael Blanchard, said afterward. “It’s rewarding when they understand what you’re trying to convey to them.”

Hanson also was defended by attorney Brian Fiengo.

Hanson stabbed Shane Crawford seven times in the back in a confrontation shortly after 1 a.m. on April 28, 2012, outside the Lebanon home of Hanson’s former girlfriend, Annie Morris.

Crawford testified that after he told Hanson to leave the property, Hanson rushed at him holding a knife, put him in a bear hug and stabbed him.

Hanson, however, said Crawford pinned Hanson against his car, and put a forearm against Hanson’s throat, cutting off his breathing so that Hanson feared he would black out. Hanson got his knife out of his pocket and stabbed Crawford out of fear and panic, Hanson said.

The jurors took the time to study the facts and follow the instructions of Judge Barbara Jongbloed regarding whether the attack was valid self-defense, Blanchard said.

During their deliberations, the jurors returned to the courtroom to examine Hanson’s knife, which was kept in a sheath.

Each juror tested whether Hanson’s testimony could be true, that he used one hand to remove the knife from its sheath while it was in his pocket and Crawford was pinning him, Blanchard said. He said the jurors all succeeded in removing the knife one-handed.

The jurors also reviewed a video taken that night showing Hanson answering questions from state police, the testimony of Morris and an audiotape of Hanson’s 911 call reporting the stabbing.

As a result of his arrest, Blanchard said, Hanson was forced to leave his studies in a doctorate program at Cornell University. Hanson had testified that he speaks 15 ancient languages.

“He hopes he can return to the program and eventually resume his life as a college professor,” Blanchard said.